Lead organization:

KSM Inc.

Description:

KSM has developed a technology that transforms two abundant Canadian materials/feedstocks into high value potassium-based agricultural fertilizers. The technology, initially invented at Nichromet/Dundee Sustainable technologies (DST) and spun out into KSM, uses potash from Saskatchewan and serpentine tailings left over from asbestos mining in Quebec to make potassium sulphate (SOP) and potassium/magnesium sulphate (SOPM) in a combined process. The products made at KSM’s proposed 55 kt/y commercial plant, which also include hydrochloric acid (HCl) and Epsom salt, are all considered commodities and would be sold as such. The KSM process for making SOP uses significantly less energy than the incumbent method called the Mannheim process by having a reaction temperature under 100oC as compared to approximately 600oC for Mannheim.